William N. Burch, 86; Directed, Produced ‘Truth or Consequences’

William N. Burch, 86, who had a varied career as a writer, director and producer in radio and early television, died Saturday in Sacramento of complications after hip surgery, his family said.

While working for NBC in Los Angeles in the late 1940s, Burch met Ralph Edwards and joined his production company. Burch directed and produced Edwards’ “Truth or Consequences” game show on radio and after it moved to television in 1950.

Burch also worked with cowboy singing star Gene Autry on his radio and TV programs and in the early 1960s on television shows for singer Tennessee Ernie Ford.

After marrying Yvonne King of the King Sisters in 1966, Burch directed and produced several King Family holiday specials.

Later he headed Universal’s Commercial Industrial Films division, making corporate and government-sponsored movies around the world.

A native of Evanston, Ill., Burch attended the University of Illinois and began his career as an advertising copy writer for J. Walter Thompson in Chicago. After service in the Army Air Forces during World War II, he rejoined the ad agency in its San Francisco office before moving to Los Angeles.